League abuzz with reports Pittsburgh Steelers parting ways with LB James Harrison – NFL News
The National Football League (NFL) is abuzz with rumours that linebacker James Harrison’s career is over with the Pittsburgh Steelers and apparently age is a leading factor prompting the team to part ways with the veteran pass rusher.
A CBSSports report has cited anonymous insiders from the team claiming that the Steelers have been weighing options to let the daring LB go unceremoniously and this season might prove to be his last.
James, 34, has been marred with a phase of uncertainty over past two years, and there is an increasing doubt about his durability and sustainability in fitness and form in medium to longer run. This looks rather realistic option for the Steelers in presence
of LBs LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons.
Harrison is due to hit $10 million figure against the salary cap in 2013 and there is a possibility that the team makes long-term commitment with LaMarr and Lawrence, instead of persisting with the veteran.
The fitness issue was the main problem for Harrison at the start of the 2012 season. He missed quite a few games straight before returning to action, but never appeared to be as good as he was last year or a year before.
His performance card shows he has hit double-digit sacks figure from 2008 until 2010, but never touched that mark again since then. Also, under the enhanced players’ safety rules he has been finding difficult to adjust his contact point while tackling or,
as a matter of fact, roughing up his opponents.
Harrison has recently said that the change in the league’s rules has made him to lower hitting point down the knee area to avoid penalties. It is pertinent to note that he has been known for his daring challenges and tackles to opposing quarterbacks. He
knocked almost half a dozen players in two years time, and a majority of them were with concussions. He has paid over a $100,000 in fines and was the first player to have been suspended for a game in 2011 because of safety rules.
Back to his prospects, since both stakeholders are yet to reflect on the circulated reports of Harrison’s potential departure, it is difficult to say a final word on it, although there is a fair possibility of such a development. The offseason will tell
if he stays or goes.
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